presidential election. There had been as yet no effectual check given to
the lawless proceedings of the Ku Klux, and their frequent raids and
numerous deeds of violence had inaugurated a reign of terror that was a
shame and reproach to our boasted civilization and free institutions.

Many of the poorer class, both blacks and whites, dared not pass the
night in their houses, but when darkness fell, fled for safety to the
shelter of the nearest woods, carrying their beds with them, and
sleeping in the open air.

That the Ku Klux Klan was a political organization working in the
interests of the Democratic party, their words to their victims left no
doubt. The latter were told that they were punished for belonging to
the Union League or for favoring the Republican party or using their
influence in its behalf, and threatened with severer treatment if they
dared vote its ticket or persuade others to do so.

The outrages were highly disapproved by all Republicans and by most of
the better class in the opposite party; but many were afraid to express
their opinions of the doings of the Klan, lest they should be visited
with its terrors; while for the same reason, many of its victims
preferred to suffer in silence rather than institute proceedings, or
testify against their foes.

It was a state of things greatly deplored by our friends of the Oaks and
Ion, and Messrs. Dinsmore and Travilla, who were not of the timid sort,
had been making efforts to bring some of the guilty ones to justice;
though thus far with very little success.

Such an errand had taken them to the town on this particular day.